Show-case refrigerator



Nov. 30 W26.

im. JXHEYER SHOW CASE REP'RI'GERATOR Filed Nov. 25, 1922 Wy evi Patented Nov. 30, 1926.

UNITED STATES 1,608,191 PATENT OFFICE.

ALFRED J. HEYER, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSTGNOR TO HARRY L. HUSSMANN REFRIGERATOR COMPANY, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, A CORPORATION OIE*A MISSOURI.

snow-CASE nnrnrennaron.

Application filed November This invention relates to refrigerators, and more particularly to show case refrigerators, such as are used for the simultaneous display and refrigeration of provisions and similar perishable articles. i

In the marketing of provisions, it is desii-able to have them on display in a convenient place, such as will attract the attention of prospective buyers. The place of l display `should be such that the goods will always be before the eyes of the customer .during the regular course of business. It is desirable at the same time in order to prevent the spoiling of perishable goods to T have arrangements for refrigeration thereof .simultaneously with such display.

One of the objects of this invention, therefore, is to provide a refrigerator adapted for the display of provisions and arranged to be placed upon a counter so that the goods will be immediately before the customer during the regular mercantile operations, such as take place in the ordinary retail store.

Another object of this invention is to arrange such a counter refrigerator so that the interior thereof will be conveniently accessible to the attendant stationed behind a counter. j

Another object of this invention is to provide such a counter refrigerator, constructed and arranged so as to have efficient circulation of air therewithin for effective refrigeration, and so as to be easily replenished with refrigerating mixture.

Further objects will appear from the .detail description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing7 in which:

Figure 1 represents a rear View of a refrigerator embodying this invention;

Figure 2 is a section on line 2 2, Figure 1; and

Figure 3 ure 2.

Referring to the accompanying drawing, 1 designates a casing which may be provided with transparent pan-els 2 on the front, sides and top thereof. This casing is arranged so that it may be placed upon a low counter to serve as a dis lay top therefor, and also to serve such ot er purposes as a counter is usually designed for. The casing encloses a provision compartment 3 enclosed by the transparent front, sides and top, and `at the rear by a downwardly sloping wall 4. In the rear of the provision compartis a. section on line 3 3, Fig- 25, 1922. serial No. 603,367.

ment 3 and communicating with the same is a refrigerant compartment 5 enclosed by the rear wall of the casing 1, two short nontransparcnt end walls (3 and a top 7. The top 7 may be made removable in the form of a lid or cover so as to provide access to the refrigerant compartment 5 for the purpose of replenishing the refrigerating mixture, cleaning, etc. The sloping rea-r wall 4 may be provided with sliding closures 8 having transparent panels 9, so that the contents of the provision chamber may be `visible to the attendant from the rear of the counter;

Located withinl the refrigerant compartment 5 is a refrigerant container 10 which may be constructed of sheet metal or other suitable material, and arranged to cool the compartment 5. This container is arranged to be located in spaced relation with refer- 1 ence to the walls of the compartment 5v and for` this purpose, spacers 11 may be provided along the rear and end walls of said compartment so as to insure a free air space 12 being left between the container and the wall for free circulation of air. In order to further promote circulation, the container l() may be provided with passages 13 therethrough from front to rear so that the air may circulate through and around the container so that all portions thereof may come into engagement with the cold surfaces and having been chilled thereby, may flow out into the provision compartment. A circulation of air will, therefore, be set up from the provision compartment 3 into the top of the refrigerant compartment 5 where the air will be chilled by contact with the freezing mixture and after passing through the passages 13 and the space 12 will sink to the lower part of the compartment 5 and will then liow back into the lower part of the provision compartment 3. This will be effective in maintaining a low temperature in the provision compartment so that provisions contained therein will be well preserved.

In the lower part of the refrigerant compartment 5 and directly under the drain pipe 14 of the container 10 is a depression or sump 15 provided with a siphon drain 16.

It will, therefore, be seen that the invention accomplishes its objects. The refrigerator which may be placed upon an ordinary counter is adapted for the effective display yof of provisions and the simultaneous refrigeration thereof. The provisions are visible to the customer through the front and top panels 2 and to the attendant through the panels 9. Easy access to the interior is provided for the attendant through the closures 8 and the cover 7 provides a fiat counter surface for wrapping bundles and similar operations, and at the same time provides access to the compartment 5. An e'ective circulation of air is insured for refrigeration purposes.

It is obvious that various changes may be made in details of construction within the scope of the. appended claims without departing from the spirit of this invention; itis, therefore, to beunderstood that this invention is not to be limited to the specific details shown and described.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

l. A counter refrigerator comprising, an elongated show case having transparentpanels and providing a visible provision compartment, a refrigerantcompartment arranged along said provision compartment, and an elongated freezing mixture tank arranged in and along along side of said refrigerant compartment, said tank having a transverse passage therethrough and being constructed to promote circulation of air therethrough and along the back thereof, and said tank facing said provision compartment and being in free aerial communication therewith, whereby a current air iscaused to circulate transversely of said compartment in a path from the bottom of said tank along the bottom of said provision compartment and ina return path along the top of said compartment into the topof said unit.

2. A counterl refrigerator comprising, an

elongated show case having transparent panels and providing a visible provision compartment, a refrigerant compartment arranged along said provision compartment and having a door, and an elongated freezing mixture tank removably arranged in and along a long side of said refrigerant compartment, said tank having a transverse passage therethrough and being constructed to promote circulation of air therethrough and along the back thereof, and said tank facing said provision compartment and being in free aerial communication therewith, whereby a current of air is caused to circulate transversely of said compartment in a path from the bottom of said tank along the bottom of said provision compartment and in a return path along the top of said com partment into the top of said unit.

3., A counter refrigerator comprising, an elongated show case having transparent front and top panels providing a visible Aprovision compartment, and a downwardly sloping rear wall, a refrigerant compartment at the rear of said provision compartment, an elongated freezing mixture tank in said refrigerant compartment, said tank having a transverse passage therethrough and being constructed to promote circulation of air therethrough and along the back thereof, and said tank lng said provision compartment and being in rree aerial commnnication therewith, whereby a current of air is caused to circulate transversely 0f said compartment in a path from the bottom 'of said tank alone' the bottom of said provision con'ipartment and in a return path along the top of said compartment into the top of said unit.

ln testimony whereof afltiX my signature 'this 6th day of July, 1922.

ALFRED J. Hernia. 

